Dr. Richard Armstrong

Richard Rush Armstrong came from Texas to Jacksonville, Alabama in 1977, where he took a position as professor of music. He had previously taught for seven years in the Music Department of East Texas State University at Commerce, Texas. Before that, he was a high school band and choral director for six years in the public school system of his native Mobile, Alabama. His military service was spent with the United States Army Band and Chorus in Washington D. C. While stationed in Washington, he was tenor soloist at the Washington National Episcopal Cathedral.

Dr. Armstrong holds the Bachelor of Arts degree in music with minors in French and German from the University of Alabama; the Master of Music degree in Voice with a minor in Drama from Catholic University of America, and Doctor of Philosophy degree in Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. Before his retirement in June of 2000, he taught private voice, Music Education classes, Introduction to Music, and coordinated the Music Education program in the JSU Music Department.

Dr. Armstrong sang professionally before entering teaching. His credits include performances with the Washington Opera Society, Musical Playhouse Company, Sokol Opera Company, Mobile Opera Guild, and he was a national finalist in the Metropolitan Opera Auditions. He has sung with orchestras and oratorio groups throughout the east, south and southwest, and he is heard locally in concerts, recitals, and church performances.

Dr. Armstrong serves as the soloist for Temple Beth El, the Jewish congregation in Anniston, Alabama, and is choirmaster at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Jacksonville, Alabama. He is a past Governor of the Alabama chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.